The Transformation

Chapter 8

When I walked into the cafeteria, everyone turned to stare at me. I wondered it something was in my teeth. Some of the other girls in the grade gave me the evil eye. I was so confused.

"Why is everyone staring?" I asked, sitting down in my usual seat.

"You mean you don't know?" Mikaelah looked at me in shock.

"Not a clue." I replied.

"You're Jake's winter formal date.... Duh." Olivia told me.

"What?" No I'm not." I shook my head.

"Well, Jakes's been going around school telling everyone that you're dating and that you're his date." Kati gave me an update.

"I'm not his girlfriend or his date!" I exclaimed.

"Tell Jake that." Cammi muttered.

I stood up and found Jake in the lunch line. Some of his friends stopped talking when I came over. I grabbed Jake's wrist and dragged him to a private spot. I released his wrist and glared at him.

"What?" Jake asked me.

"Like you don't know." I crossed my arms.

"No. Not really." He was truly clueless.

"Didn't you process that we're not dating or going to the formal together?" I rolled my eyes.

"That's why stopped me from getting lunch?" Jake said.

"Duh." I replied.

"Vanessa. I have a reputation to uphold." He told me, totally serious.

"I really don't care." I matched his attitude.

"I'm the most popular guy. Girls don't reject me. Will you just go with me?" Jake pleaded.

"No." I said firmly.

"C'mon. It won't be that bad." He was starting to get desperate.

"Ugh. Do I have to?" I groaned.

"Yeah. Pretty much." Jake nodded.

"Fine." I muttered.

"Good. Can I get my lunch now?" He motioned toward the cafeteria.

"Go." I ordered and followed him.

I sat down and glared at the remainder of my lunch. My "date" sat next to me and began to eat.

"You know that since you said yes 5 minutes ago that we're dating." He whispered into my ear.

"Great." I mumbled.

"So can I call you sweetheart?" Jake looked at me.

"Whatever." I pulled out a book and started to read.

I finished the part that I was hoping to finish. When I looked up, Kati smiled at me.

"Vanessa, can I take you dress shopping Friday? You need a dress and I need someone to help me choose one." She said.

"Sure. Why not?" I shrugged.

Lunch went quickly and I left as soon as I could. I had to stop at my locker, so I headed that direction. When I got there, Monique was standing there with a disappointed look on her face.

"Really, Vanessa. Jake?" She said with disgust.

"What are you talking about?" I got into my locker to get my stuff.

"The formal." Monique glared at me.

"Oh. That." I replied.

"Are the rumors true? Are you his date?" She inquired.

"Yeah. I am." I turned to go to science.

"I can't believe that you've stooped down to that level. If you're his girlfriend or his date, you're no best friend of mine!" Monique spat and left.

I wanted to go after, but I had to get to science. I ran to science, ignoring the girls giving me the evil eye. Science went a bit slower than usual. I could stop thinking about how mad Monique got when I told her about the formal.

I had just lost my best friend.